Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies

This position will provide support in for Dr. Stacey Garrett, Associate Professor of Higher Education and Interim Department Chair. As a research assistant, the GRA will provide support for Dr. Garrett's scholarship. Her scholarship seeks to explore the systems and structures of higher education that help or hinder the success of marginalized students, faculty, and staff. Current projects are focused on the Impacts of Hurricane Helene on Faculty and Staff, Faculty Success and Wellbeing, and Academic Leadership.

YOU'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Administration & Communication

• Meet weekly with supervisor via Zoom or in person (if available).
• Check email at least once per day on weekdays.

Research & Writing

• Assist in drafting Institutional Review Board applications for Ethics in Human Research
• Assist in drafting proposals for conference papers
• Engage in exhaustive academic literature searches for research projects
• Draft well-written literature reviews
• Support data collection and analysis efforts across research projects
• Provide copy editing for writing projects
• Additional opportunities to develop/pursue new research projects based on shared interests may emerge

Professional Development

• Complete and maintain CITI certification requirements (if applicable).
• Complete academic database search training with Belk Library.
• Complete training related to APA 7 formatting conventions.
• Other training requirements may be necessary based on level of experience and project needs.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a full-time graduate student at Appalachian State University (enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits).
• Ability to work 20 hours per week to fulfill position responsibilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in social sciences (ex: education, psychology, social work, sociology, economics)
• Familiarity with academic research (quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed methods)
• Familiarity with American Psychological Association (APA) formatting conventions
• Ability to navigate library resources and academic databases (Google Scholar, ERIC, PubMed, Web of Science, etc.)
• Proactive communicator and strong written communication skills
• Attention to detail with regard to writing mechanics
• Ability to take initiative and work independently on assigned projects (ex: does not consistently need explicit examples or extensive project details to start a project)
• Highly organized and ability to effectively manage time

POSITION DETAILS AND BENEFITS:

• Start Date: January 12, 2026
• 20 hours per week for the spring semester excluding spring break.
• Opportunity for renewal is dependent upon department funding allocations.

TO APPLY:
Application materials

• 1 Page Resume
• 1-2 Page Letter of interest addressing the following questions:
  • Why are you interested in this position?
  • What are your academic interests?
  • When was a time where you were successful in working proactively and independently?
• A writing sample
  • This could include course assignments, personal writing, etc.

For priority consideration, email your materials to Dr. Stacey Garrett, by 5:00pm December 12, 2025.
Email: garrettsd@appstate.edu
Phone: 828-262-3112
Applications welcome until the position is filled.